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Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital Opens 1981 Time Capsule Published on 02/04/2025 under News

Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital took a brief glimpse into the past Monday afternoon.

The facility hosted a small ceremony as they opened a time capsule that was more than 40 year old. The small metal canister was discovered behind the cornerstone of the former Saint Mary's Hospital in Rhinelander. It placed there back in 1981 to serve as a symbol of the hospital's rich history.

They noted the contents offer a fascinating snapshot of life for the Rhinelander community, showcasing not just health care artifacts but also items that reflect the culture and spirit of the time. This included photographs, some newspaper clippings, a roster of hospital staff, along with some local mementos, coins, and a prayer rosary.

The contents of the time capsule will be archived. Some of the more noteworthy items may be displayed in the future.

In Other News

The Rock Church Fundraiser After Mission to Kenya

Published on 08/21/2026 under News From Northern Wisconsin to Eastern Africa, members of The Rock Church in Tomahawk recently completed a mission trip. Now, the community has a chance to support their newest effort. Kayla Stelling from The Rock Church was part of a two-week mission to Kenya. She stopped by the WJJQ studios to talk about their trip and to preview a fundraiser taking place tonight. The nine-member, all-female team from Tomahawk, including three mother-daughter pairs, traveled to serve at the Ark Children's Home in Thika. The facility provides shelter, education, and care for 37 rescued children. During their stay, the team saw firsthand the daily challenges faced by the facility. Stelling noted that while the children receive dedicated care, the home has several urgent needs, including a clean water well, a security perimeter wall, solar power infrastructure, and a dedicated indoor kitchen and dining space. Those needs inspired the group to make a lasting difference, with plans for potential return trips in the future. To help raise funds, the mission team is hosting a community fundraiser tonight from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Rock Church. The event features an authentic, home-cooked Kenyan dinner, video presentations, and personal testimonies from the trip.

Published on 08/21/2026 under News Overnight rain across the Northwoods brought a welcome sight to the region as drought conditions have continued to expand week by week. The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows a pocket of "D3 Extreme Drought" developing in Northern Wisconsin. This area covers northern Price County, much of Iron County, and small portions of western Oneida and Vilas Counties. The remainder of the Northwoods is categorized under D1 Moderate Drought or D2 Severe Drought classifications. Statewide, 91% of Wisconsin is currently classified as abnormally dry or worse, with 72% officially in drought. While the overnight rainfall will not entirely reverse the ongoing deficit, it provides a much-needed boost for lawns, gardens, and local farms, while helping to temporarily lower the risk of wildfires across the region.

Published on 08/21/2026 under News Getting to a reported fire posed a unique access challenge for Pine Lake firefighters, though finding a source of water was no issue at all. Crews were dispatched to the south side of Estabrook Island at shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening following reports of smoke and flames. Firefighters launched an airboat packed with wildland pumps and tools from a nearby boatlanding on the Wisconsin River. Prior to the arrival of firefighters, a man and his son had paddled to the island in kayaks and used buckets to help douse the flames. The firefighters set up a portable pump to pull water from the river to quickly extinguish fire. It burned an approximately 10-by-10-foot area near the shoreline. The cause of the island fire remains under investigation by the DNR. Crews were on the scene for about an hour and a half. Officials expressed gratitude for the neighbors, as well as the Pelican Fire Department which provided a boat back up.

Published on 08/21/2026 under News Anglers are descending on the Eagle River area this weekend for one of the most popular musky tournaments in the country. It's time once again for the National Championship Musky Open, hosted each summer by the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce and the Musky Clubs Alliance of Wisconsin. Proceeds from the event support the Alliance's year-round conservation and outreach efforts for Wisconsin's state fish. By the numbers, the catch-and-release tournament ranks among the largest in the nation. Last year's event drew more than 1,100 anglers representing 14 states. Action on the water was a bit slower last year, with 117 muskies boated and released across the tournament lakes. While seasoned anglers have spent weeks or months scouting local waters, others enter simply for the experience, and a shot at an impressive prize. Every registered participant is automatically entered into a drawing for a fully outfitted fishing boat. Freshwater Fishing Hall of Famer Steve Heiting serves as the tournament's master of ceremonies. Regular WJJQ listeners will recognize Heiting, who shares his angling insights each weekend during our local fishing updates. Registration kicked off Thursday evening, with anglers officially hitting the water Friday through Sunday.

Published on 08/21/2026 under News City officials are warning local residents, businesses, and builders to stay vigilant following additional email scam attempts impersonating City of Rhinelander staff. The latest fraudulent messages are coming from the fake email address planning.rhinelanderwi.@usa.com and request payments via wire transfer. A number of municipalities around the state have reported similar schemes, but Rhinelander officials weren't aware of any community members who have fallen for the scams. To protect against fraudulent requests, officials offered a few reminders...They note that legitimate communications from City of Rhinelander staffers come from email addresses that end with "@rhinelanderwi.us. They would never require payment via wire transfer. Those with questions about communications from the city should verify requests directly.

Published on 08/21/2026 under News A unique waterski competition is taking place in Crandon this weekend, though no water skis are needed. Hundreds of spectators and thrill-seekers will line the shores of Peshtigo Lake in Crandon this weekend for the return of Footstock. Ditching traditional skis altogether, competitors glide across open water relying on nothing more than bravery, balance, and bare soles at speeds pushing 40 miles per hour. Known officially as the World Figure 8 Barefoot Tournament, the competion is all about endurance. The format puts two barefooters side-by-side behind a single boat, driving through tight, high-speed turns and churning wakes until one competitor falls. In addition to the top billing Open Championship, they'll feature additional women's, junior's and senior's divisions. Action kicks off early Saturday morning and runs through Sunday afternoon.

Published on 08/20/2026 under Sports Tomahawk's girls swimmers opened up their season with a 13th-place finish at the Fun In the Sun Outdoor Relays in Merrill Thursday evening. The Hatchets competed in five different relays in the event. Tomahawk placed ninth in the 500 freestyle relay, swam by Aubrey Tollefson, Sloane Eisenman, Kaylee Roberts, and Kami Gabrich. The Hatchets placed 12th in the 200 Butterfly Relay, swam by Tollefson, Gabrich, Roberts, and Kortney Busterud. Tomahawk's highest finish in the meet was eighth in the 200 Backstroke Relay. The Hatchets then capped off the night with a tenth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke. Tomahawk will have a couple of weeks off before their next meet, which will be a home double dual with Great Northern Conference foes Lakeland and Mosinee September 3rd.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News An annual campaign targeting impaired driving is underway in Wisconsin. Local law enforcement agencies are joining state partners for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative. The two-and-a-half-week campaign highlights drunk driving and drug-related impairment. According to Wisconsin Department of Transportation statistics, there were just over 7,000 alcohol- or drug-related crashes in the state last year, along with more than 20,000 OWI convictions. State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan says "Strong partnerships are critical to prevent impaired driving crashes. This includes our law enforcement partners, but more importantly, it means working with motorists and communities to make sure impaired drivers never get behind the wheel." Officials emphasize that impaired driving threatens not only the person behind the wheel, but also their passengers and everyone else sharing the road. To combat the issue, the increased enforcement push is paired with a public education campaign across traditional media, social media, and even digital highway messaging signs. Drive Sober will continue through Labor Day weekend.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News The Lincoln County Board has fast-tracked repairs on the County Highway M bridge west of Merrill, bypassing the standard competitive bidding process in an effort to complete the project before winter. Following a brief presentation from Highway Commissioner Jason Lemmer, supervisors approved an emergency measure to address severe structural damage discovered during a July inspection. A 10-ton weight limit has since been posted, and officials warned that further deterioration could force a complete bridge closure if left unrepaired. The emergency status allows Lemmer to solicit direct bids from three contractors rather than running a lengthy public bidding process. This streamlined approach ensures the county can meet a strict Sept. 15 deadline for stream bed work in the Copper River. The $325,000 repair focuses on replacing the bridge's damaged steel piles. Funding includes $58,000 from the Highway Department for design costs, with the remaining $267,000 drawn from the county's general fund. Lemmer noted that the rest of the structure remains in good condition and estimated these repairs will last approximately 50 years. Further updates on traffic impacts will be provided as the official project timeline is finalized.

Published on 08/20/2026 under News As we enter the dog days of summer, we've been getting some reports of some area lakes showing signs of blue-green algae blooms. Health officials are reminding the public to avoid affected waters. Blue-green algae is naturally occurring in Wisconsin waterways. Problems may arise when the algae goes into bloom. Factors leading to a bloom include stagnant waters, fertilizer run-off, warm temperatures, and sunlight. Despite the name, blue-green algae can appear in a variety of colors including reds, browns and whites. Its appearance is often described as looking like pea soup or spilled paint on the water surface. There are a variety of symptoms from exposure or ingestion including skin irritation, nausea and illness. In addition to humans, pets can also be affected. The Health Department recommends showering or rinsing off if you have been in affected waters. And with fall fishing, avoid eating the catch if a bloom is present at your favorite fishing spot. While some popular swimming areas like beaches may be monitored, it is typically up to swimmers to be on the lookout for algae. Officials often say, "When in doubt, stay out!"

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